BACOOR CITY, Cavite – The city government is taking steps to get to the bottom of sexual harassment allegations in Bacoor National High School-Molino Main.
On Aug. 28, a Twitter thread of disturbing conversations, supposedly between students and teachers of the school, went viral.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Sept. 1, Mayor Strike B. Revilla emphasized that incidents of sexual harassment in school and in the workplace must not be taken lightly.
The mayor said the Department of Education-Schools Division Office (DepEd-SDO) of Bacoor is already on top of the investigation.
The city government has also coordinated with the Philippine National Police-Bacoor and the National Bureau of Investigation to launch a formal investigation and file cases if necessary.
In addition, Revilla said he had met with the City Council for the Protection of Children about existing policies and other recommendations related to the situation.
"Mahalagang malaman ng bawat isa na ang lahat – anuman ang kasarian, edad, katayuan sa buhay – ay may mga karapatan na hindi maaaring abusuhin o tapakan ng kahit sino (It is important that each one of us knows that everyone – whatever gender, age, or social status – have rights that cannot be abused or trampled upon by anyone)," Revilla said.
The city government plans to boost its information and awareness drive to educate residents about sexual harassment and other forms of abuse.
On Aug. 30, DepEd Spokesperson Michael Poa condemned the sexual harassment allegations in Bacoor National High School and assured that the SDO's investigation is currently underway.